How an ancient skull fragment was dated — and its place in Hoosier history

Part of a 4,200-year-old human skull is found along an Indiana riverbank

The bone fragment, found in June, “is a powerful and humbling reminder that people have walked this land, our home in Fayette County, for millennia,” the county’s coroner said.

How an ancient skull fragment was dated — and its place in Hoosier history

How did scientists determine the age of a 4,270-year-old skull fragment?It's a story that's been trending ever since we broke it. A small piece of a skull was found along the Whitewater River in Fayette County.I visited the Osteology Classroom at the University of Indianapolis. There, I met Dr. Krista Latham. Latham is not only a biology and anthropology professor at the university, but she's also the director of the university's Human Identific…

4,000-Year-Old Human Skull Discovered on Indiana Riverbank Offers New Clues To Ancient North American Migration

When and where was the ancient skull discovered? A remarkable archaeological discovery in Fayette County, Indiana, has shed light on the early human presence in North America. On June 2, 2025, a portion of a human skull was found along the Whitewater River bank, and after extensive testing, experts confirmed the remains date back to around 2300 BC, more than 4,000 years ago. The finding was publicly announced by Fayette County Coroner Eddie Rich…